What Happens If You Die Without a Will in Pennsylvania?

Dying Without a Will in Pennsylvania | Estate Planning Guide

If you die without a will in Pennsylvania, the state does not take your property. But the state does decide who receives it. When someone dies without a valid will, they are considered “intestate.” Pennsylvania law then determines how assets are distributed.

Here is how it works.

• If you are married with no children, your spouse inherits everything.

• If you are married with children who are also your spouse’s children, your spouse receives the first $30,000 of your estate plus one-half of the remaining balance. Your children split the other half.

Many families are surprised by this.

If you are married and have children from another relationship, the same structure applies.

This can create unintended tension in blended families.

If you are not married, your children inherit everything equally. If they are minors, a guardian must be appointed to manage their inheritance until adulthood.

If you have no spouse or children, Pennsylvania law distributes assets to parents, siblings, or more distant relatives.

Dying without a will is not about whether the state takes your property. It is about losing control over who inherits, when they inherit, and who manages your estate.

A properly drafted will allows you to:

1. Choose your beneficiaries

2. Name an executor

3. Appoint a guardian for minor children

4. Provide structure for distributions

Estate planning is about control and clarity.

If you live in Pennsylvania and do not have a current will, now is the time to create one.

Call Sojourner Law, PLLC to schedule a consultation and put a plan in place.